Steven Hill "Journey Workshop" 2016-2017Dec

My journey began with a summer workshop in 1972, taught by Peter Sohngen. Since the early 80’s, I have shared MY aesthetic and techniques in nearly 300 workshops. This workshop is different; it is about you and your relationship with clay. This journey is YOURS. – Steven Hill

You are inspired,

You are motivated,

Begin your journey… now.

What inspires you? Art? Music? Nature? Technology? Architecture? Each of us is capable of expressing unique individuality in our ceramic work. Is your work as personal as you would like it to be or does it seem more like a collection of techniques learned from others?

Your journey begins with 6 ½ days exploring your relationship with clay at the Saratoga Clay Art Center (SCAC). Through a combination of individual critique, group discussion and hands-on experimentation, you will set in motion the search for personal expression. You will leave The Journey Workshop with a plan for the upcoming year and return to your studio with focus, renewed motivation, a group of peers and a mentor to help keep you on track.

Who is a prime candidate for theJourney Workshop?

This workshop is perfect for the professional who feels stale, for the amateur who wants to develop their body of work, or anyone who wants to take their pottery or sculptural work to a deeper, personal level. It is helpful to be comfortable with your basic techniques, as this workshop is not technically oriented. In the past, however, people at all levels of expertise have benefited greatly from taking the Journey Workshop.

Workshop Structure:

In preparation for your journey, you will be asked to read segments of Robert Piepenburg’s book, Treasures Of The Creative Spirit. A private Facebook page will be set up in advance for students to communicate with each other before and during their journey, posting images, thoughts, questions and inspiration. The Facebook page is critical to group camaraderie and motivation. For the first weeklong session, bring as much information about yourself as possible… images or examples of recent pottery or other artwork, a journal or sketchbook, music, or anything relevant to your individuality. Each day during the initial week we will spend about half of our time in class discussions and group exercises. The rest of your time will be spent working in clay, drawing, journaling, or other individualized creative activities, applying insights gained in the class. Towards the end of the initial week, you will write a personal contract to help formulate your plan for the upcoming year. As your journey progresses throughout the year, you will have the option to schedule Skype critiques with Steven (paid for at an additional hourly charge). We will meet for a mid-year critique at SCAC on November 12-13, 2016. Finally, on June 2-4, 2017 we will reconvene at SCAC for final critiques and to share and celebrate our individual journeys. The workshop will culminate with a gallery opening.

You will NOT be learning Steven Hill’s techniques in The Journey Workshop. Instead, this workshop is designed to help you find YOUR voice in clay. Steven will push you to go deeper and discover personal ways of expressing yourself. Yes, it is true there is nothing “new” in art, but that doesn’t prevent you from bringing your own unique spirit as a potter, sculptor, artist and human being to your personal work.

The Journey Workshop DOES NOT INCLUDE firing at SCAC, unless you would like your work to be bisque fired to take with you. The work made for the gallery show at the end of the Journey Workshop will be made and fired in your studio throughout the upcoming year.

Workshop Schedule:

·June 5-11, 2016 – Initial weeklong workshop at SCAC. The workshop will begin on Sunday, June 5 at 6pm, with a welcome session.

oJune – November 2016 – Studio work and preparation for mid-year critique.

·Dec. 7-8, 2016 – Mid-year critique at SCAC.

oNovember 2016 – May 2017 – Studio work and preparation for show.

·June 2-4, 2016 – Journey final critique, show and celebration at the Saratoga Clay Art Center.

Additional Reading:

To find out more about Steven’s philosophy on these workshops, read the May 2007 Comment in Ceramics Monthly, Rethinking Ceramics Workshops.The Eight-Month Workshop: A Journey of Discovery, Steven’s article about the first Journey workshop that began at the Metchosin’ International Summer School of the Arts in Victoria, BC in July of 2007 and ended at Center Street Clay in March of 2008, is in the June 2008 issue of Ceramics Monthly. PDF’s of these articles can be downloaded at: http://www.stevenhillpottery.com/articles/. These two articles are feeling somewhat dated to me, as the process has evolved over 4 subsequent Journey Workshops, but they are worthwhile reading nonetheless.